Pneumatical musical instrument.



E. LESGHBRANDT.

PNEUMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8,1908.

' Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

KW Q lllllllllllllll llll llllllll lllllllll ll t iav W/ZGUdW E. LESGHBRANDT.

PNEUMATIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 8,1908. 1,1 1 6,345, Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

UNITED s Arns PATENT one-ion EINAR Lnscnsnnnn'r, or PHILADELPHIA, rn'm'vsvLvANm, .tssrcno'te r0 Kisser AUTO-GRAND emit comma? or AMERICA, or coi intiisvnfim, rennin, A con- POIRATION or mmslim.

Specification of Letters intent.

PNEUMATIC MUSICAL ms'rnuernnr.

Patented 0v. 3, l fid.

To cub whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Emsn LESGHBRANDT, a subject of the King of Norway, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented s new and useful Pneumatic Musical Instrument, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a musical instrumerit controlled by traveling perforated note sheets.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide means whereby by the provision of extra perforations in the note sheet and corresponding channels in the tracker with suitable connections therefor, the note sheet can be caused to control the rendering of selections, especially the operation of the loud and soft pedals and the tempo, in a most simple and convenient manner; to provide means whereby a partial rewinding and restarting will not upset the arrangement so that all parts of the music roll will be independently selective without changing the standard of either the rolls or the players, so that the sheets can be used on ordinary players not provided with this attach ment; to provide a construction'which will be inexpensive to build and will have few parts which are liable to get out of order in practice, to provide means for promptly controlling the loud and'soft pedals in conformity with the harmonic scheme of one or. several successive chords or measures which are of contrasting harmony and must not run into each other, so as to avoid the tinkling sound peculiar to some kinds of automatic playing; and in general to provide improvements in the construction and operation of instruments of this character.

Further objectsand advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the ing drawings, .in which- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a portionof a musical instrument showing certain features in section, and the tracker and perforated note sheet in elevation, and illustrating one wayv in which this inven tion them be applied thereto; Fight: a sectional view of one of the controlling devices-on an enlarged scale; and Fig. 3 i525 accompanyplishe'd by this instrument by simply havsimilsr view showing the parts in another position. 4

The invention is illustrated as applied, to an instrument having a trackerlO provided with the usual note channels 11- and with two sets of additional channels 12 and 13. There are only two of the channels 12,- and they are shown as located at theopposite ends of the line of channels ,l-l end as PTO- jecting in front of them. The channels 13 are interspersed throughout the line of channels 11 and located at one side thereof. Tfheir connections will be described hereina ter.

The channels 12 on the right left respectively are connected with conduits,- tubes, or passages 14 and 15. They are in communication with s selective neumatic valve casing 16 which is shown ssin the form of a; cylindrical provided with two ports in communication with tubes orchannels 1-7 and 18 connected tube, and which is 20. These neumatics may be employed for any desiredpurpose as will readily be understood, but the arrangement is especially suitable for having them operate the loud and soft pedal respectively andtherefore they will he so referred to hereinafter. These parts may be placed in any desired or convenient position, the drawing being diagrammatical in this respect.

The music sheet 21 is provided with two series of perforations 22 and $3 on the right and left side and located either alongside, or instead of, the printed 'dynemicjnarks P, F, and MF. There is plenty ofroom for this on an ordinary music sheet 89 there is now a space of about a quarter of in inch used as a nmrgin, and itwill be understood, of course, that the perforations 22 and 23 are'not ordinarily very close together. It may be stated that if a sudden change from loud to soft is desired, it will be accoming the perforation 22 fornctuating the loud pedal followed by a perforation 23 on the other side for actuating-the soft pedal 0'1 vio verse; But if either is On and it is dsired to return to neutral or MF, two holes '22 and 23 are located in the sheet opposite each other at .the point where, thochange isto be mile, and the pedal that isv down bleeding the passage bleeding both passages will be released. The object of this arrangement is to always put on the right pedal, even if the roll is partially rewound in order to repeat a certain part, as often happens or if the operator stops up again.

The construction of the parts in the casing 16 is as follows :This casing is divided into three compartments byv stationary walls and 26. The first compartment or chamber on the left acts as a valve-casing for a valve 27, which is provided with a passage 28 for connecting either of the passages 17 or 18 .with an exhaust-passage 29 connected with a source of exhaust. When this valve is m the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the parts are in neutral position,.and both of the pedals are off. When it. is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the exhaust 29 is connected with the passage 17, and the loud pedal is on. At the same time a bleeder passage 30 in the valve is connected with the passage 18 so as to restore it to normal condition. There is a similar passage 30 at the other end for 17. There are also two through the valve for 17 and 18, when the valve is in neutral position as shown in Fig. 1. The valve casing or tube 16 is provided -w' h passages opposite the passages 17 and 1 which are provided with screw adjustments 32 for the purpose of regulating bleeder passages 31 i the same.

The valve 27 is preferably made of wood, hard rubber, or other suitable material, and is provided with a-covering of felt along the sides where it touches the brass valvecasing. The same is the case with all the other pistons and valves employed. Their fit is not required to be exactly air tight, since in all cases the action is but momentary, and therefore no perceptible loss of power from leakage is felt, and the volume of air employed is small. All the pistons and valves therefore can be made to glide very freely.

The piston or valve 27 is operated by a piston 35 in the compartment between the two walls 25 and 26, and it divides this compartment into two chambers 36 and 37 The pistons 27 and 35 are rigidly connected by a rod 38 which passes through the wall 25 and is provided with a felt bushing or hearing. The two conduits 14 and 15 communicate with the chambers 36 and 37 respectively. These chambers also are both connected with an exhaust 39 and are readily'restored to inexhausted condition after air enters them through the passages 14 and 15.

The third chamber at the right of the wall 26 is provided with-two blocks or pistons 40 and 41 held in their normal position as in Fig. 1 by a light s ring 42-between them. The chambers at th valves communicate through a passage 43 and a passage or tube 44 respectively with playing and takes it cumferential grooves 45', and

- the chamber e outer ends of thesethe conduits 14 and 15 respectively, so that when air is admitted to either of the latter, the corresponding block will be forced inwardly against the spring. In Fig. 3 both condu1ts'14 and 15 are open. These blocks are provided with passages, shown as, cirthe blocks are forced inwardly both grooves communicate with a channel or passage 46, the'motion of bothblocks inwardly being limited by the spring 42. In this position one end of this passage connects with an exhaust passage 47 which is connected with between the blocks and with a source of air tension, and the other connects through a passage 48 with the compartment between the partitions 25 and 26, so that when the piston 35 is moved over to the right or left, this passage will communicate with the (for the time being) larger of the two chambers 36 or 37. If at the same time that the piston 35 is so thrown to the right or left both the valves 40 and 41 are in the position shown in Fig. 3, this larger chamber will be connected with the exhaust 47.

The operation of. the device is as follows :Starting with the parts shown in the position in Fig. sheet is in such position that a perforation 22 on the right has just let air into the conduit 14, the chamber 36 will be filled, and on account of the exhaustion of the chamber 37 the piston 35 and valve 27 will move to the left as is shown in Fig. 2. This will connect the exhaust 29 with the bellows or neulnatic 19, and if that is the loud peda con-. nection, the loud pedal will then be on. When this occurs the air coming into the chamber 36 passes through the passage 43 and forces the block or piston 40 to the" right, as is also shown in Fig. 2. This makes one connection. in the passage 46, but the other connection is stopped by the block 41 which has not yet moved the loud pedal will be held down even though the perforation 22 shall have passed oil the tracker hole 12, be-

cause the tension inchambers 36 and 37 'is' the same. Now if it is desired to restore the parts to normal position, two perforations 22 and 23 are located in the sheet lII POSltIOII to come over the corresponding tracker channels at the same time, and then air will be admitted through both the. conduits 14 and 15 at the same time. The first effect of this is to move the block 41 to the left to the position shown in Fig. 3. This connects the passage 46 with though mentarily by the perforations 22 and 23 they are closed immediately as the note sheet passes on, and the exhaust being greater in the chamber 36 than it is in the chamber 37, the piston will move to the right until it closes the port48, andthings will then be restored to the. position shown in Fig. 1.

when both of 1, supposing the music the exhaust .47, and al- 1 the conduits 14 and 15 are open mo- Suppose, however, with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, it is desired to put on the soft pedal, a single passage 23 is located in position to come over the proper tracker channel 12, and then the conduit 1-: being shut ofi by the paper, the conduit 15 will be opened to the outer air and while the piston would move back to the left, the piston 41 would also move to the left and the former would still keep the passage 46 closed. Consequently, with the air entering the chamber 37 and with the exhaustion equal from the chambers 36 and 37, (through the passage 39) the piston will move clear to the right and connect the passages 18 and 29 so as to put on the soft pedal and cut out the loud pedal. The restoration to normal position of parts is effected as before.

It has been stated that the tracker is provided with additional channels 13. in the form shown in the drawings there are nine of these, (each one connected with a conduit) which in the form chosen for illustration, represent the nine tempos as follows :50 largo, 50 adagio,50 andante,50 andantino, 5O moderate, 50 allegro moderato, 50 allegretto, 50 allegro, 50 presto. It will be understood that while these nine stages are generally suficient for all tempo changes, even the minor ones, the number can be extended or reduced if desired, the principle remaining the same. I have found in practice that small variations in time as selections are played are complete but mementary changes from one tempo to another below or above the mean tempo, and I have experimentally found that the same eifect is obtainable by working the lever in such a manner st to produce changes of this scope so that a perfect ritardando or acccllerando is obtained by a successive change to the nearest station, the length of the same being nicely graded by the shorter or longer time between the stations and in the same way here the length of the time will be nicely graded by the variation of distance between the perforations 52 in the note sheet.

The working principle of this part of the device is as follows :-The air is exhausted from a double cylinder 53-54 through a connection 55 which is in communication with a source of air tension. This exhausts air from both sides of a piston 56, and it also exhausts air from both sides of a piston 57 in the smaller cylinder, as the space on the right of the smaller piston is shown as being in direct communication with the space on the left of the larger piston, and the outer spaces of the, two cylinders communicate through a passage 58. When all the nine holes 13 in the tracker are closed by the paper of the music roll as. they normally are the degree of exhaustion on both sides of each of the pistons is equal. This is also the case if all the passages are open.

New referring to the music roll shown in the drawing, if the tempo of the piece is allegro moderate, for example, one of the holes 52 is cut in the paper in the beginning of the piece, in advance of all the note perforations, Where now is usually printed only the tempo mark. This is located where it will strike the proper challel in the tracker in this case the channel 13 which communicates with the conduit 50 This at once automatically sets the tempo indicator 60 which is fixedly connected with the piston 56 by a rod 61 to the proper tempo for that particular piece. The rod 61 is continued and as will readily be understood" it operates the valve controlling the motor which is not shown herein, as it well understood. The drawing shows the pistons and pointer in the position above indicated. Following the roll farther down it will be seen that the next perforation 52 occurring is the first stage of a ritardando, and it is located in such position as to open the tracker channel 13 over the conduit 50 (moderate). It will be understood, of course, that after the first perforation 52 in the paper has opened one passage and set the tempo, the paper then passes on and closes the same. The opening of the next channel has the following cdect. The air enters the tube 54 at the left of the piston 57 throu h the conduit 50*- and fills the smaller chamber to'the left of the piston, and also through the passage or,

channel 58 it fills the large chamber to the right of the iston 56. The latter piston being much arger than the former, the power is on the latter to push both pistons to the left, and they Will continue to move to the left until piston 57 covers the open end of the conduit 5O when there will be equilibrium on both sides of the piston, and

there will be no force to move them in either direction, The next stage in the ritardando is andantino, and another perforation 52 is consequently placed in the paper to come over the channel 13 so as to open the conduit 50, and the operation is repeated, carrying the pistons one more step to the left and having a corresponding effect on the pointer and the motor valve. This particular music sheet is shown with another perforation in position to open the conduit 50, the result of which now will be readily understood. The next perforation 52 on the music roll is back on the tempo line and will bring the pistons back in the other direction to their original position. The next thing on this particular music sheet is the sustaining mark, which result is brought about by putting the perforation in the paper so as to place the indicator suddenly on largo, the air coming in through the conduit 50 or if desired a tenth stage might be added, which in value of tempo might answer 'to something slower than largo, it being understood that a sus tain must not be an entire shut-01f or air to the motor, since then it could not start up again without help, but it must provide just enough air to keep it going at the lowest possible-speed. Then when the sustain is supposed to end, the motor will again bring the paper into action as will readily be understood by the provision of another perforation 52 on the tempo line. It will be seen that this kind of a controller will work promptly, in response to "the air impulses admitted through the perforations in the paper roll. 7 In order to get small variations of tempo like the metro-style line, it is necessary only to have additional tracker channels 13 opening alternately above or below mean tempo, and vary the occurrence or the perforations of the music sheet according to the necessity of the case. v

As mentioned in connection with the description of the other pistons described, it

is not necessary that they should fit air tight, and they may be made like the others mentioned above. The leakage is very small in comparison with the supply and the action is but momentary. It will be understood, of course, that the tempo controller can be coupled directly with any ordinary form of indicator, and that the usual tempo lever in front may still be used so that a person who desires may at any time change even when it does the chances ofthe tempo the tempo to suit his own fancy. Since the hand is much stronger than the power of the air in the cylinder, this can be done with- ,out adjusting or, uncoupling any of the parts, and without interfering with the proper action of the same when the operator releases the lever. Moreover, it will be understood that if the roll is partially rewound while playing and starting again at another place, the tempo controller will work automatically to set the proper tempo of that part, so that rewinding does not upset the arrangement. It will be observed that the'channels 13 are long and narrow, constituting a slit. They are shown narrow because they come between, the note channels and they must not overlap them. They are-made long their narrowness. (The provision of these perforations does not materially weaken the tracker or note sheet since a tempo change does not need to occur while a key is down, and there is a plenty of room for .the perforations except where two adjacent keys are to be downv at the same time, but as this constitutes a bad discold, it occurs very rarely in music, and

change appearing at that point are very small. It will be-understood of course that the same principlesmay be adopted-for regulating other features of the instrument,

but it is thought that it than the tempo, 7

describe any other will be unnecessary to:

. preferred in orderto make up for one direction,

connections as the controlling device alone is what is shown in the drawings.

l/Vh-ile-I have illustrated and described a embodiment of the invention, 1 am aware that many modifications may be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of theinvention as expressed in the claims. .Therefore I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction shown or to the particular utility of the device which is described in detail in the specification, but

' What I do claim is 1. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination with two neumatics, a valve casing, a pair of air conduits entering said valve casing from said pneumatics, an exhaust connect-ion entering the valve casing between said conduits, and a valve having a passage adapted to connect said exhaust connection with either one of said conduits and disconnect the other therefrom.

v '2. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination with two neumatics, a valve casing, a pair of air conduits entering said valvecasing from said pneumatics, anexhaust connection entering the valve casing between said conduits, a valve having-a passage adapted to connect said exhaust connection with either one of said conduits and disconnect the other therefrom; and having bleeding passages for connecting the conduits with the outer air when they are not in communication with the exhaust connection, a tracker, and means controlled from the tracker for operating said valve.

3.,11'1 a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination with neumatics, of an exhaust commotion,- a movable valve having us for connecting either of, said neumatics with the exhaust connection, a pair of pas sages, two tracker channels'one connected with each passage, and means connected with the valve whereby the admission or air into one of said passages will positively move the valve in onedirection, andthe sdmission of air in the other will positively move the valve oppositely.

4. In a. pneumatic musical instrument, the combination with two pneumatics, of an exhaus't connection, a movable valve having means for connecting either of said pneumatics with the exhaust connection and disconnecting the other therefrom, a tracker, and means controlled from the tracker for operating said valve, from the tracker comprising a pair of passages, two tracker channels or'ie 'connected with each passage, and means connected with the valve whereby the admission of air into one of said me" will move th valve i admission of-air in the sages moves the valve oppositely.

said means controlled arr-leave it there vuntil the 4 other of said pas-- 5. Ina pneumatic musical instrumnarthe passage for connecting either of combination of a valve casing having three" openings in line, the middle one of said openings being connected with a source of air tension, a valve in the casin having a the other openings with said middle opening and provided with four bleeder passages, two of said bleeder passages being arranged to communicate with the two side openings in the valve chamber when the valve is in central. position, and each of the others being so located as to communicate with one of the side passages when the valve is in position to connect the other side passage with the central passage.

6. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of a valve casing having three openings, one being connected with a source of air tension, a valve in the casing having a passage for connecting it with either of the other openings and provided with four bleeder passages, two of said bleeder pas sages being arranged to communicate with said two other openings in the valve chamher when the valve is in neutral position, and each of the others being so located as to communicate with one of them when the valve is in position to connect the other with theopening which is connected with the source of air tension, means for adjusting the rate of fiow of air through the first two bleeder passages In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination with a valve casing, of a valve therein, a piston rigidly connected with said valve and adapted to slide in the casing, .L chamber in the casing at each side of said piston, an exhaust passagecommunicating with. both of said chambers independently of the position of said valve, a tracker having note channels and two additional channels therein, one being in constant communi-- cation with each of said chambers, whereby the admission of air through either of said additional channels to one of said passages will cause the piston to move and the valve to move with it.

8. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination with a valve, of a piston rigidly connected with said valve, a chamber at each side of said piston, an exhaust passage communicating with both of said chambers independently of the position of said valve, a tracker having note channels and two additional channels therein, one being in constant communication with each of said chambers, whereby the admission of air through either of said additional channels to one of said passages will cause the piston to move and the valve to move with it, an additional exhaust passage, and means connected with the additional exhaust passage for exhausting the air from one of said chambers, said means comprising a channel opening into the valve casing at the point at which said piston is located when incentral position, whereby upon the motion of the piston in either direction said channel will communicate with the chamber which is increased in size by the motion of the piston.

9. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination with a valve casing, of a valve therein, a piston rigidly connected with said valve and adapted to slide'in the casing, a chamber in the casing at each side of said piston, an exhaust passage constantly communicating with both of said chambers, a tracker having note channels, and two additional channels therein, one being in constant communication with each of said chambers, whereby the admission of air through either of said additional chambers to one of said passages will cause the piston to move and the valve to move with it, an additional exhaust passage, and means connected with the additional exhaust passage for exhausting the air from one of said chambers, said means comprising a channel opening into the valve casing at the point at which said piston is located when in central position, whereby upon the motion of the piston in either direction said channel will communicate with the chamber which is increased in size by the motion of the piston, and means controlled from said additional tracker channels for connecting said last named channel with the additional exhaust passage.

10. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the. combination of a valve, a piston con-: nected therewith for operating it, a pair of chambers separated from each other by said piston, a tracker having note channels and two additional channels, means for connecting all of said chambers with a source 01"- air tension, an exhaust passage connected with said chambers at such a point that when the piston is in central position the piston will close said passage, and when it moves in either direction will open the passage into-the chamber that is increased in size by said motion of the piston, and means controlled from said passages connected with the additional tracker channels for controlling the connection of said exhaust passage with a source of air tension.

11. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of a valve, a piston connected therewith for operating it, a pair of chambers separated from each other by said piston, a tracker having note channels and two additional channels, means for connecting both of said chambers with a source of air tension, an exhaust passage connected with the first named chambers at such a point that when the piston is iircentral position the piston will close said passage, and when it moves in eitherdirection will open the passage into the chamber that is increased in size by said motion of the piston,

said means comprising. a

and means controlled from said passages connected with the additional tracker channels jor controlling the connection of said exhaust passage with a source of air tension, pair movable blocks having a chamber between them directly connected with a source of air tension, and each having a chamberatthe opposite side thereof connected with one of said passages to the additional tracker channels,eaeh of said blocks also having a channel therein which, when the blocks are a forced inwardly by the air entering at the back from the tracker channel, com-munica'tes with said exhaust passage and connects it with the source of air tension.

12. in a pneumatic musical instrument, the com "ination with two channels and means for admitting air thereto, of a passage from each at said additional channels, two chambers one commui'iicating with each of said passages, a piston separating said chambers, two blocks having a chamber between them in constant communication with a source of air tension, and a spring for forcing them normally apart, chambers beyond theirv non-adjacent ends, each con: nected with one of said tracker channel assage's, a passage adapted to be contro led by said piston, ecnnectin the last named passage with a source 0 air tension when both of said blocks are forced inwardly by the simultaing a chamber between them, a

ducting air,

neous opening oi the two channels.

13. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of a cylindrical valve casing, a valve therein, a piston connected with said valve for operatlng it and; located in the cylinder, a pair of blocks also slide-bl mounted in said cylinder, and havspring tween said blocks to force them apart, each of said blocks having a passage therein, and a passage connected with the exhaust at one end, and with the interior of the valve casing of the other and arranged to be made continuous when both of said block passages come into registration therewith.

It. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of a valve, a plurality of neumatics controlled by said valve, means for reciprocating said valve in either direction from aneutral position, means connected with the tracker for controlling the operation of said reciprocating means to move the valve from neutral position, and: means controlled .from the tracker h dependent of the second named means for restoring the valve to neutral position after it has been operated,

is. lln a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of a set of passages for cona valve, a plurality of pneumatics 'controlled by said valve, means conthe valve controlled by said -and means on'said blocks for a tracker,

unease passages for from a neutral position, and means connected with said passages for restoring the valve to neutral position when all of said passages are opened simultaneously.

16. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of two channels, passages connected with said channels, a valve, a plurality of Pneumatics valve, means corniccted with the valve controlled by said passages for moving the valve in either direction from a neutral position, and means connected with said passages for restorin the valve to neutral position when both 0 said passages are opened simultaneously, said means having. connections for moving the valve over to the opposite position from either extreme position when the assage which was open for moving' it to t at extreme position is closed.

17. The combination with a series of channels, of a series of conduits connected with said channels, a valve casing, said conduits being connected with said valve casing at varying distances from the end thereof, a piston in said casing, and means whereby when a channel is opened on either side of the piston the piston will be caused to move toward that channel until it closes the some.

18-. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of a casing having cylinconduits entering the smaller of said cylinders at varying distances from the end thereo two pistons one in each of said cylinders rigidly connected together, means for affording constant communication between the outer ends of said cylinders, means for constantly exhausting tho' cylindcrs on both sides oi the piston.

19. In a musical instrument, the combination of a cylinder, conduits entering said cylinder at different distances from the end thereof, a piston in said cylinder, a larger cylinder," a piston therein, means for placing in communication each end of the larger cylinder with one end 01 the smaller cylinder, means for constantly exhausting both ends of oneof the cylinders, and means con- 1 the smaller piston.

20. In a musical tion of two cylinders of a piston in each cylinder, entering one of said: cylinders at different distances from the end thereof, means .for connecting each end of one cylinder with the other cylinder, means for constantly exhausting both ends oi one of the cylinders, means tor connecting the two pistons, whereby they will operate at the same. time, and a tempo indicator connected with said pistons to move tmrew-"ith. i 21.1En instrument, the v 1 different diameters,

controlled by said done of two difierent diameters, a series of.

meted with the larger piston for operating instrument, the combine a series oi conduits moving it in either direction tion of two cylinders, a piston in each cyl- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set inder, a series of conduits from one of said my hand, in the presence of two subscribing 10 cylinders at different distances from the end witnesses.

thereof, means for connecting each end of one cylinder with the other cylinder, means EINAR LESCHBRANDT for constantly exhausting both ends of one Witnesses:

of the cylinders, and means for mechani- CHAS. B. COLLIER, cally connectingthe two pistons. J can M. WHELAN. 

